Regular visitors to the Science Library may have noticed a new arrival at the far end of the Issue Desk: a self-issue machine. This machine enables users in possession of a current borrowing ticket to check out books themselves, without having to join the queue for a member of staff.

The machine offers the following step-by-step instructions:

• Place your ID card in the place indicated, so the red light reads your library barcode.
• Leaving your card in this position, enter your four-digit numerical PIN code, followed by #.
• Once the machine has accepted your PIN, press the * button to continue.
• Open the book you wish to borrow. The book's barcode should be on one of the front pages: place the book with the spine facing the machine so the barcode can be read by the red light.
• The machine will read the book's barcode. Confirmation that the issue has been successful will appear on the screen.
• You can issue further items in the same manner. When you have finished remove your card. You will be issued with a receipt confirming the transaction(s) and advising you of the date in the format yyyymmdd (e.g. 20030122 for 22 January 2003). Please keep this receipt for your records.

All users are given a PIN number when they join the Library which is needed for a number of online services. It can also be used to renew books or make reservations online. If you are not sure what yours is, please ask a member of staff at the Issue Desk. Speak to staff if you experience problems in using the machine or would like a demonstration.

We do encourage Science Library users to try the machine when next borrowing books since, at busy times, it may mean that you spend less time queuing.